Venus Aims at Final Berth Record at 36 Years

Venus Williams is determined to maintain a champion mindset as she prepares for today’s all-American semi-final at Melbourne Park.

The 36-year-old will become the oldest woman to play in an Australian Open semi-final, and the oldest semi-finalist at any grand slam in 23 years.

And she won’t be letting anyone tell her she doesn’t deserve to be there.
Venus Williams is eyeing her first Australian Open final since she played her sister in 2003. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“Why shouldn’t I (think I can win the tournament)? I try to believe,” Williams said.
“Should I look across the net and believe the person across the net deserves it more? This mentality is not how champions are made. I’d like to be a champion, in particular this year.
“The mentality I walk on court with is: I deserve this.”

Williams, ranked 17th in the world, will take on fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe for a place in Saturday night’s final in what she said is “a great win for the US”.

She beat Russian 24th seed Anastasia Pavyluchenkova in straight sets to make it through.
“I’m sure she’s going to want to be in her first final,” the seven-time grand slam winner said.
“I’m going to want to be in only my second final here. So it’s going to be a well-contested match.”

Vandeweghe, 25, has made consecutive semi-final appearances at the last two US Opens, with her previous best Australian Open showing being a quarter-final berth last year.

While she said making it as far as today is “amazing”, she is anything but satisfied.
“There’s more things to do out on a tennis court that I’m hoping to achieve.”

The pair have only met once, but Vandeweghe echoed Williams’ excitement at sharing the experience with a compatriot.

“To play an unbelievable player, future Hall of Famer, Venus, to be on the court with her, I’ve only experienced it one time before,” she said.

“To have two Americans against each other in the semi-final I think is pretty cool.”